Brazilian football legend José ‘Bebeto’ Gama de Oliveira, famed for his iconic ‘rocking the baby’ celebration, will deliver a keynote at the 2025 edition of SBC Summit Rio.
The ‘Celebrating Sports in Brazil’ address will launch the summit’s educational program on Wednesday, February 26th. The football icon will reflect on his career—from winning the FIFA World Cup in 1994 to his transition into politics.
Bebeto commented: “Football runs through the fabric of Brazilian culture, impacting the lives of nearly every Brazilian in some meaningful way.
“I’m excited to speak at SBC Summit Rio and share my journey—both as a professional footballer and as someone who’s had to lead, adapt, and grow in different stages of life. I hope the lessons I’ve learned along the way can inspire and resonate with others, far beyond the world of sports.”
Born in Salvador, Bebeto began his football career in 1981, spending a year with the youth team at Bahia. The following year he moved to Vitória, where he continued in the youth setup before earning his place in the first team.
After an impressive senior debut season with Vitória, Bebeto joined Flamengo in 1983. During his time at the club, he netted 151 goals in 285 matches and won prestigious titles, including the Campeonato Brasileiro Série A (1983, 1987) and the Campeonato Carioca (1986).
During his tenure at Flamengo, Bebeto also earned his first call-up to the Brazilian national team. He represented Brazil in three FIFA World Cup tournaments, reaching the final twice. Bebeto amassed an impressive 52 goals in 98 appearances, cementing his legacy as Brazil’s sixth-highest all-time leading scorer.
In 1989, the same year Brazil won the Copa América, he joined Vasco da Gama. In his first year at the club, he won the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A. He was also top scorer of the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A in 1992.
In 1992, Bebeto moved to the Spanish league to join Deportivo La Coruña, where he scored 118 goals in 133 appearances, earning the title of top scorer in the 1992/93 season and winning the Copa del Rey for the 1994/95 season.
The year 1994 marked a defining moment for Bebeto on an international level, as he played a crucial role in helping Brazil lift the FIFA World Cup trophy. The tournament cemented Bebeto’s status as a household name when he created the iconic ‘rocking the baby’ celebration after scoring in the quarter-finals against the Netherlands.
From 1996 to 1999, Bebeto had brief stints with several clubs. In 1996, he returned to Flamengo before joining Spanish giants Sevilla for half a season in 1997. In July of that year, Bebeto rejoined Vitória, where he earned another call-up to the Brazilian national team. During his time with Vitória, he contributed to the club’s success in winning the Bahia State Championship and the Northeast Cup. Bebeto later moved to Cruzeiro, where he played a single match in the Club World Cup against Borussia Dortmund.
In 1998, the football star joined Brazilian powerhouse Botafogo, where he reached several career milestones. He scored his 500th official career goal and earned a call-up to Brazil’s squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in France. There, he made history as the oldest player to score for Brazil in the tournament’s history. Bebeto also played a key role in Botafogo’s success that year, helping them secure the Rio-São Paulo Tournament title and leading them to a runner-up finish in the Brazilian Cup.
From 1999 to 2002, Bebeto had several spells at a number of clubs. In 1999, he played half a season in the Mexican league for Toros Neza. In 2000, he joined the Japanese team Kashima Antlers before making a short return to Vitória. In 2001, Bebeto rejoined Vasco da Gama, and at the age of 38, he concluded his career with his final club, Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia.
In the years following his retirement from football, Bebeto had a short spell as head coach of Rio-based, America Football Club, overseeing the team during the Rio State Championship in 2009. In the 2010 Brazilian general elections, Bebeto ventured into politics, securing a seat in the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro as a representative of the Democratic Labour Party. Bebeto served as state deputy, a role he was re-elected for in both 2014 and 2018.
Rasmus Sojmark, CEO & Founder of SBC said: “Having Bebeto join us at SBC Summit Rio this February is an extraordinary honor.
“His ability to adapt, lead, and succeed in diverse environments is truly inspirational. These lessons transcend football, offering valuable insights that I believe will deeply resonate with our industry and prove transformative for all in attendance.”
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Source: SBC Noticias BR
